Philmon Lee

S24 · Eliminated (10th–11th)

As of July 18, 2026

Philmon Lee, from LaGrange, Georgia, was eliminated from American Idol season 24 on April 13, 2026, after singing Hot Blooded. On May 11 he sang with Shinedown at the finale. Epic Records has released his music since 2020, including the EP 706 in 2021 and Baby Don't Cry, featuring Young Thug, in 2023.⁠[1][2][3][4]

Career

Before the show

  1. 2020He signed to Epic Records in 2020. Against Da Grain Entertainment also signed him. No date is stated for that second deal.⁠[1][6]
  2. May 8, 2020–September 18, 2020On May 8, 2020, Epic Records released Memories and Sunflower (I Refuse To Die). On September 18, 2020, Epic released No Saving Me, featuring Lindsey Stirling.⁠[1][4]
  3. January 22, 2021On January 22, 2021, Epic Records released Where Was Your Love, his first new song of that year.⁠[1][4]
  4. June 11, 2021On June 11, 2021, Epic Records released his EP 706.⁠[4][6]
  5. January 20, 2023On January 20, 2023, Epic Records released Baby Don't Cry, featuring Young Thug.⁠[4][6]
  6. May 31, 2024On May 31, 2024, Epic Records released Home Drinker.⁠[4][6]

During or around the show

  1. March 7, 2026On March 7, 2026, while in the American Idol top 30, he played a sold-out show at the Royal Theatre in LaGrange.⁠[7]

Date not documented

  1. He learned piano, guitar, and drums from his musician father and toured a little with him. That touring is when he decided he wanted to be a singer.⁠[1][6]

Discography

TitleTypeYearLabelRIAA certificationU.S. sales
706⁠[4][6]EP2021Epic Records

Awards

Checked October 8, 2026; none found.

Other activity

  • February 9, 2026On February 9, 2026, he earned a golden ticket on American Idol.⁠[8]
  • March 9, 2026As of March 9, 2026, he was a 26-year-old singer-songwriter and insurance agent in LaGrange.⁠[9]
  • April 13, 2026On April 13, 2026, he sang Hot Blooded by Foreigner and was eliminated from American Idol.⁠[2][3]
  • May 11, 2026On May 11, 2026, he sang Searchlight and Second Chance with Shinedown at the American Idol finale.⁠[3]

Sources

9 sources

  1. Vocal Powerhouse Philmon Lee Unveils New Single Where Was Your Love — The Hype Magazine, published January 22, 2021, updated January 22, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (6)
    • About: “Hailing from the tiny blue-collar town of LaGrange, GA”
    • About: “eventually signed to Epic Records in 2020”
    • 2020 singles: “a string of singles, including "Memories" and "Sunflowers (I Refuse To Die)."”
    • 2020 singles: “his electrifying collaboration with Lindsey Stirling, "No Saving Me."”
    • Lead: “shares his first new song of 2021, entitled "Where Was Your Love" via Epic Records”
    • About: “eventually even toured with his dad, a fellow musician”
  2. LaGrange's Philmon Lee eliminated from American Idol — WTVM, published April 13, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Elimination: “Lee took the stage with "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner”
    • Published: “Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:40 PM EDT”
    • Performance: “Lee took the stage with "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner, but it didn't bring in enough votes”
  3. American Idol season 24 — Wikipedia, updated July 18, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (6)
    • Non-competition performances, finale of May 11: “Searchlight”
    • Top 11 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (April 13) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Philmon Lee: Pl. 10, 4/13 column
    • Elimination chart, Top 11 column dated 4/13, rows Philmon Lee and Rae: “Eliminated”
    • Top 3 finale heading: “Finale (May 11)”
    • Non-competition performances: “Searchlight”
    • Non-competition performances: “Second Chance”
  4. Apple album lookup for Philmon Lee artist 1511800926 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • 706: "releaseDate":"2021-06-11T07:00:00Z"
    • Baby Don't Cry: "releaseDate":"2023-01-20T08:00:00Z"
    • Memories: "copyright":"℗ 2020 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment"
    • Don't Stop Believin': "releaseDate":"2026-03-23T07:00:00Z"
    • Don't Stop Believin': "collectionName":"Don’t Stop Believin’ (from American Idol) - Single"
    • Don't Stop Believin': "copyright":"℗ 2026 19 Recordings, Inc., under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation"
    • Memories: "releaseDate":"2020-05-08T07:00:00Z"
    • Sunflower: "collectionName":"Sunflower (I Refuse To Die) - Single"
  5. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Contestants table, row Philmon Lee: Season 24, Place finish 10th-11th
  6. Philmon Lee artist page — Spotify. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • About: “Against Da Grain Entertainment and Epic Records signed Philmon based on his talent”
    • Singles and EPs: “Don’t Stop Believin’ (from American Idol) Single • 2026”
    • Singles and EPs: “706 EP • 2021”
    • Singles and EPs: “Baby Don't Cry (feat. Young Thug) Single • 2023”
    • Singles and EPs: “Home Drinker Single • 2024”
    • About: “His musician father exposed Philmon to music at an early age learning piano, guitar and drums.”
    • About: “I toured a little with him and that's when I knew I wanted to be a singer.”
    • Discography: “706 EP • 2021”
  7. LaGrange native taking national stage by storm on American Idol — WTVM, published March 8, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Concert: “performed in front of a sold-out crowd Saturday, March 7”
    • Venue: “Inside the Royal Theatre”
    • Status: “American Idol top 30 contestant Philmon Lee”
  8. LaGrange singer earns golden ticket on American Idol — WTVM, published February 9, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Lead: “On Monday, the LaGrange singer earned a golden ticket”
    • Published: “Feb. 9, 2026 at 9:04 PM EST”
  9. LaGrange's Philmon Lee advances on American Idol season 24 — WTVM, published March 9, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Lead: “a 26-year-old LaGrange singer-songwriter and insurance agent”

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